Hearing Aids
Fact or Fiction?
It is possible, in some cases, for hearing aids to completely restore hearing.
Fiction.
Hearing aids amplify sound, which improves an individual's ability to hear and understand speech, but they do not completely restore hearing.
Fact or Fiction?
High-frequency hearing loss affects the ability to hear low-pitched sounds more than high-pitched sounds.
Fiction.
High-frequency hearing loss primarily affects the ability to hear high-pitched sounds, making it difficult to understand speech, especially consonants.
Fact or Fiction?
The cochlea is a part of the inner ear.
Fact.
The cochlea is a spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear that converts sound vibrations into neural signals.
What is the term for reading lips and using visual cues to support in understanding speech?
Speech reading (lip reading).
Fact or Fiction?
Modern hearing aids can be connected to smartphones, TVs, and other devices.
Fact.
Many modern hearing aids have Bluetooth connectivity, allowing them to connect to smartphones and other devices.
Fact or Fiction?
Speech therapy can help individuals with hearing loss improve their communication skills.
Fact.
Fact or Fiction?
The eardrum separates the outer ear from the inner ear.
Fiction.
The eardrum separates the outer ear from the middle ear, not the inner ear. The eardrum (tympanic membrane) vibrates in response to sound waves, transmitting these vibrations to the middle ear bones.
Name the three types of hearing loss.
Sensorineural, Conductive, and Mixed
Fact or Fiction?
Hearing aids are typically only used by older individuals.
Fiction.
Hearing aids can be used by individuals of all ages, depending on their needs and preferences.
Fact or Fiction?
Speech reading, gestures, and closed captions are some examples of visual cues that aid in speech comprehension, but they do not aid in effective communication.
Fiction.
Speech reading, gestures, and closed captions are types of visual cues. These cues aid in speech comprehension which, in turn, promotes effective communication.
Fact or Fiction?
Ear wax is beneficial for a few reasons, one being that it helps to prevent infections in the ear canal.
Bonus: +100 additional points if you can state the medical name for earwax.
Fact.
Ear wax is considered to be a natural antibiotic because it contains antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Bonus Answer: Cerumen
Fact or Fiction?
The hair cells in the cochlea can regenerate if damaged.
Fiction.
Once the hair cells in the cochlea are damaged, they do not regenerate, which can lead to permanent hearing loss.
Fact or Fiction?
Hearing aids are only necessary and beneficial for severe hearing loss.
Fiction.
Hearing aids can benefit individuals with any degree of hearing loss (mild to severe) and can be customized to fit their unique needs.
What is one strategy that a communication partner can use to help support effective communication?
Any one of the following answers are correct:
Speak clearly; Speak at a moderate pace; Gain listener's attention before speaking; Be patient; Choose quiet locations for conversation; Use visual aids/gestures to support message; Reduce background noise; Ensure good lighting; Repeat information as needed; Confirm listener's understanding; Encourage the use of hearing aids or other assistive devices
The semicircular canals in the inner ear are filled with fluid and help maintain _____.
a) Coordination of eye movements
b) Hearing acuity
c) Spatial orientation
d) Sensory regulation
c) Spatial orientation
The semicircular canals detect rotational movements of the head, helping to maintain balance and spatial orientation.
Fact or Fiction?
Q-tips are a good way to keep your ears clean.
Fiction.
Using Q-tips to clean your ears is unsafe because it can push earwax further into the ear canal and potentially cause damage to the eardrum.
Fun Fact: Ears are self-cleaning. The ear canal naturally moves earwax and debris out of the ear on its own.
Fact or Fiction?
Hearing aids amplify all sounds, including background noise.
Fiction.
Hearing aids are designed to amplify speech frequencies more than other sounds, helping to improve clarity of speech while minimizing background noise.
When communicating with someone with hearing loss, why is it important to avoid covering your mouth?
To allow the person to lip-read (speech read) and see facial expressions, which are important visual cues for understanding speech.
There are three tiny bones, called ossicles, in the middle ear. Their function is transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. Name one of these three tiny bones.
Bonus: One of these three is the smallest bone in the human body. +100 additional bonus points if you can name it.
Any one of the following answers is correct:
Malleus; Incus; Stapes
Bonus: The stapes is the smallest bone in the human body.
Which animal has the ability to hear sounds up to 200,000 Hz, which is far beyond human capability?
a) Owls
b) Cats
c) Bats
d) Moths
b) Bats